Lighters



sept. 29, 1964 c. s. VOLK 3,150,509

LIGHTERS Fied May 13, 1965 BY www3 United States Patent O 3,150,509 LGHIERS Cecil S. Voili, 179 Kings Point Road, Great Neck, N.Y. Filed May 13, 1963, Ser. No. 279,969 11 Claims. (Cl. 67-7.1)

My invention relates to lighters of the kind which is used for igniting cigarettes or other inflammable objects, contains a wick fed with fuel and a spark-producing device for inaming 'the wick, and is operated by hand.

An object of my invention is a lighter which can be operated in two ways, by depression of one side of its top or by depression `of the other top side, thereby to make it unnecessary to turn the lighter to one particular side when it has been taken out of the users pocket, the lighter being ready for manipulation in any upright position, and thereby to quicken and 'to facilitate its use.

Other objects are to make the two-way operation possible with only one wick and with only one abrasive wheel, to provide two flint stones, one being sparkproducingly rubbed by the abrasive wheel when the lighter is operated in one way, and the other stone similarly producing sparks when the lighter is operated in the other way, thereby to provide a spark-producing device which can operate in two ways without duplication of its parts except the flint stones, to prolong the time between adjustment and between renewals of these stones by slower wear of the same due to alternate use, and thereby to make the use of the lighter still more convenient.

Further objects are to position the wick at a place where it is protected from wind and draft, thereby to avoid that the fuel vapors surrounding the wick are blown away or disturbed, thereby to facilitate the inflammation of these vapors, to move the inflamed wick to a place where it is still laterally protected, but is positioned under an area that can be conveniently reached by the end of a cigarette, cigar or the like, and thereby to facilitate 'the ignition of the latter.

Still other .objects are to return the lighter automatically to its closed normal condition upon release of the operating pressure, thereby to avoid the necessity of another hand movement, thereby to make the use still more convenient, to cut off the air supply and thereby to extinguish the flame immediately when 'the operation is finished, and thereby to avoid waste of fuel and wick.

A still further object is a lighter that differs from known lighters by a novel structure and by novel manipulating possibilities whereby the lighter meets the public demand for novelties in this field.

Still other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an exemplifying embodiment of my invention, from the appended claims and from the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view of an illustrative embodiment of my invention, the sectionally represented parts being cut along the broken line 1-1 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectional side view of the same embodiment, the sectionally represented parts being cut along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectional top view of the same embodiment, the sectionally represented parts being cut along the broken line 3 3 in FIG. 1.

All iigures are represented on an enlarged scale. The shown embodiment is symmetric with respect to a plane which cuts FIG. l vertically and centrally. Hence some details which are not visible at one side from this plane can be seen on the other side.

The shown embodiment comprises a housing having a main part 4 which is stationary with respect to the operation of the lighter. This stationary part has two Patented Sept. 29, 1964 "ice lateral walls 5, two walls 6 each of which may be regarded as front or back wall, a bottom 7 and a partitioning wall 8 which divides the interior of the part 4 into a closed lower part 9 forming a fuel container and into an upper part which is open at its upper side. The container 9 can be filled with fuel through a bottom hole which is normally closed by a screw 10. The walls 6 have upper extensions 11 provided with co-axial bores in which the ends of an axle 12 are secured.

The housing further comprises a part 13 which is turnable about the axle 12. In the shown embodiment, the part 13 forms atop part of the housing which its into the upper opening of the part 4 and, in its shown normal position, closes this opening. The turnable part 13 has a top wall 14, two lateral walls 16 curved along a circle concentric with the axle 12, and two walls 15 each of which may be regarded as front or back wall, is adjacent to the inner side of a wall 6 and has a bore for the passage of the axle 12.

The part 13 can turn from the shown normal position in two opposite directions. When this part is depressed at the side which is left in FIG. l, the left wall 16 swings into the housing and the right wall 16 rises to the position shown in FIG. 1 in dotted lines, thereby opening the housing at the right side. Correspondingly, depression of the right side of the part 13 swings the right wall 16 into the housing and opens Ithe left side of the latter.

The stationary housing part 4 further comprises a support having legs 17 affixed to the upper side of the partitioning wall 8 and having upper ends connected by a bridge 1S. This bridge has a hole in which a horizontal shaft 19 is rotatably supported. This hole is a little broader than the shaft 19 in the direction of one of the holes diameters whereby the shaft can shift or roll laterally toward the one or the other end of this diameter. In the shown embodiment, this diameter and the shiftability of the shaft 19 are horizontal. An abrasive wheel 21 of the type adapted for producing sparks in rubbing contact with a flint stone is aixed to the shaft 17, and a toothed wheel 22 is axed to the same shaft.

A toothed wheel of which a part may be cut oft to form a wheel segment 23 is axed to the turnable part 13. For example, this segment has a ilat chord side adjacent to the inner side of the top wall 14 and has a hole through which the axle 12 passes. The toothed wheel segment 23 engages the wheel 22 drivingly in two opposite directions which are parallel to the direction of 'the mentioned diameter or of the shiftability of the shaft 19 whereby rotation of the segment 23 shifts the wheel 22 with the shaft 19 and the abrasive wheel 21 toward the one or the opposite side, depending on the turning direction of the segment. The radius of the latter is preferably larger than that of the wheel 22 whereby the wheel 22 and the abrasive Wheel 21 turn about a larger angle than the segment 23, and the rubbing action of the latter is intensified.

Two posts 24 form further parts of the stationary part 4 and may be affixed to the upper side of the partitioning wall 8. The upper ends of these posts form blocks 25 provided with bores of which the axial directions point to the abrasive wheel 21. In each of these bores, a int stone 26 is inserted in a position in which the stone extends into the vicinity of the wheel 21. The term flint is meant to denote any known material adapted to produce sparks when rubbed by the abrasive wheel. The blocks 25 and the stones 26 are positioned at different sides of the Wheel 21, one stone being contacted by this wheel when the latter is shifted to one side, and the other stone being contacted when the wheel 21 is shifted to the opposite side.

The bore of each block 25 is threaded for screwing, into it, a screw 27 more or less far in order to adjust the position of the stone 26. For convenient rotation of the screw 27, each wall has an opening through which a screw driver can reach this screw. This hole is normally closed by a screw 2S.

The partitioning wall 8 has a bore through which a vertical part of a tube 29 passes rotatably. Above the wall S, the tube is ben like an S and terminates in a part which is eccentric with respect to rotary axis of the tube. A fuel-conveying wick 31 extends in the container 9, passes through the tube 29 and has an inflammable end 32 emerging from the eccentric tube part. The mutual position of the Wick end 32, the abrasive wheel 21 and the stoned 26 is so that the abrasive wheel, when in contact with either of the stones, rubs this stone in a direction pointing toward the wick end 32 whereby sparks ejected from this stone reach the vicinity of the wick and inflame the latter. The wick 31 and the spark-producing device 21, 26 form together a llame-producing device.

Preferably, the wick end 32 and the tube part from which this wick end emerges have their normal position under the abrasive wheel. In this position, the fuel fumes at the wick end are protected from wind and draft by walls of the housing and `additionally by the spark-producing device. Thereby the fuel vapors surrounding the wick end 32 stay there undisturbed whereby the wick inlames promptly when the sparks are produced. Once the wick has been inflamed, it can be moved without being extinguished to the place indicated in FIG. 3 in dotted lines where the flame is positioned under an area which is conveniently accessible through the opening of the housing made by rising of one side wall 16 to the position shown in FIG. 1 in dotted lines.

This movement of the inflamed wick end results from rotation of the tube 29 about an angle which, in the shown embodiment, is about forty-five degrees. Preferably, the rotation of the `tube is caused by means operated by the turnable part 13 when this part approaches the end of its turning movement whereby application of a finger to the tube is unnecessary. For example, each lateral wall 16 has a finger-like extension 33 curved co-axially with the -axle 12 and movable into driving contact with the tube 29. This tube may have flat lateral surfaces 34, for better contact with the fingers 33.

When the turnable part 13 is released from the depression, this part and the tube 29 are returned to their normal positions, preferably by means which operate automatically upon this release. For example, two coiled springs are positioned between the top wall 14 and the bridge 18 and urge the turnable part 13 into normal position, and -two flat springs 36 are arranged at opposite sides of the tube 29, each spring 36 having one end affixed to a wall 6 and another end bearing against the flat lateral surface 34 of the tube whereby the springs 35 urge the tube into its normal position.

In order to operate the lighter, the stationary part 4 is held in one hand while a finger of the same hand presses one side of the turnable part 13 down. Thereby the gear 23, 22, 19 shifts the abrasive wheel 21 to the side which is opposite to the depressed housing side into contact with one of the flint stones 26, and rotates the abrasive wheel whereby sparks are produced flying toward the wick end 32 and inflaming the same. A short time after the inflammation, the tip of the finger 33 on the depressed side contacts the tube 29 and pushes this tube against the resistance of the opposite spring 36 into the position shown in FIG. 3 in dotted lines. At this time, the side of turnable part 13 which is opposite to the depressed side has risen to the position shown in FIG. 1 in dotted lines, thereby opening the housing.

The cigarette or other object to be ignited is now placed with an end over the flame while this object is held by the other hand or by the mouth of the user. After this object has been ignited and withdrawn from the housing, the turnable part 13 is released from the depression where- Cil upon the springs 35 return the part 13 to its normal position, and the springs 36 return the tube 29 to its normal position. The lighter is then again in the position shown in the drawing in full lines, and is ready for being placed into a pocket or for repeated use.

When re-adjustment of a stone 26 is necessary because of wear, the screw 27 is screwed farther into the block 25. The abrasive wheel 21 will last for a long time without appreciable wear. Eventually, it may be removed by pulling it from the shaft 19 in the direction which is downward in FIG. 3, and then lifting it. A fresh abrasive wheel is then pushed on this shaft.

I desire it understood that my invention is not confined to the particular embodiment shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that my invention may be carried out in other ways within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention as it is obvious that the particular embodiment shown and described is only one of the many that may be employed to attain the objects of my invention.

Having described the nature of my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A lighter comprising a housing having a stationary part and a top part rotatably connected with said stationary part, said top part being turnable from its normal position, occupied in non-operated condition, in two opposite directions, a llame-producing device operatable in two opposite directions in said housing, and a gear operatively connecting said top part with said llame-producing device whereby the latter is operated when said top part is turned in either of its directions.

2. A lighter according to claim 1, said stationary housing part having an opening at its upper side, said top part fitting in said opening and, in normal position, closing said opening.

3. A lighter comprising a housing having ya stationary part and another part rotatably connected with said stationary part, said other part being turnable from its normal position, occupied in non-operated condition in two opposite directions, a llame-producing device positioned in said housing and including two flint stones and one labrasive wheel operatable in two opposite directions, and a gear operatively connecting said turnable part with said abrasive wheel whereby said llame-producing device is operated when said turnable part is turned in either of its directions.

4. A lighter according to claim 3, said gear comprising means for shifting said abrasive wheel into contact with one of said stones when said `turnable part is turned in one direction, and into contact with the other stone when said turnable part is turned in the opposite direction.

5. A lighter raccording to claim 3, said gear including a toothed wheel, a shaft affixed to said toothed wheel and to said abrasive wheel, said shaft being rotatable in a hole of said stationary housing part, said hole being broader in the direction of one of its diameters than said shaft whereby said shaft can shift in said hole toward the one or the other end of said diameter, said gear further including a toothed wheel segment affixed to said turnable housing part and drivingly engaging said first toothed wheel in a driving direction parallel to said diameter whereby rotation of said segment tends to shift said first toothed wheel with said shaft and with said abrasive wheel toward the one or the other end of said diameter, said abrasive wheel extending into rubbing contact with one of said stones when said abrasive wheel is shifted in one direction and into Contact with the other stone when said abrasive wheel is shifted in the opposite direction.

6. A lighter comprising a housing having a stationary part and another part rotatably connected to said stationary part, said other part being turnable from its normal position in two opposite directions, a llame-producing device in said housing, including two flint stones and one abrasive wheel, and a gear operated by turning of said turnable part in either of said directions and operating said llame-producing device when said turn-able part is turned in either of said directions, said flame-producing device further including Ia fuel-conveying wick having an inflammable end, said gear including means for rotating said abrasive wheel in rubbing Contact with the one or the other of said stones, each of said stones having a surface positioned near said abrasive wheel and being adapted to throw sparks in the rubbing direction when contacted by said -abrasive wheel, each of `said stones being supported by said stationary housing part in a position in Which said rubbing direction points to the vicinity of said inflammable wick end whereby each lof said stones can serve the inammation of said wick end.

7. A lighter according to claim 6, further comprising a bent tube having a vertical part rotatable in said stationary housing part, and having another part normally positioned under said abrasive wheel land being eccentric with respect to the rotary axis of said rst tube part whereby said other tube -part can be moved out of the position under said abrasive wheel 'by rotation of said tube, said wick extending through said tube, said irnammable wick end emerging from said other tube part whereby said wick end can be moved with said other tube part.

S. A lighter according -to claim 6, further comprising a bent tube having a vertical part rotatable in said stationary housing part, and having another part normally positioned under said abrasive wheel and being eccentric with respect to the rotary axis of said first tube part, said wick extending through said tube, said inilammable wick end emerging from said other tube part, said lighterfurther comprising means moved by said turnable housing part and rotating said tube.

9. A lighter according to claim 6, further comprising a bent tube having a vertical part rotatable in said stationary housing part, and having another part normally positioned under said abrasive wheel and being eccentric with respect to the rotary axis of said first tube part, said wick extending through said tube, said inflammable wick end emerging from said other tube part, said lighter further comprising means moved by said turnable housing part and rotating s-aid tube, `and automatic means returning said turnable housing part and said tube to their normal positions when said turnable housing part is released.

10. A lighter comprising a housing having -a stationary part land another part rotatably connected with said stationary part, said other part being turnable from its norm-al position, occupied in non-operated condition, in two opposite directions, a darne-producing device positioned in said housing and including a spark-producing device having abrasive Wheeling means and means made of flint stone, one of said means comprising -two separate parts positioned contactably by the other means whereby said spark-producing device has two spark-producing spots, and a gear operatively connecting said turnable part with said wheeling means whereby said spark-producing device is opera-ted when said turnable part is turned in either of its directions.

11. A lighter according to claim 10, one of said means of said sparkproducing device being supported in said housing shift-ably between a position in which said shiftable means contact the other means at one of said sparkproducing spots and a position in which said shiftable means contact the other means at the other spark-producing spot, said gear including means shifting said shiftable means in one direction when said turnable part is turned in one direction `and shifting said shift-able means in the opposite direction when said turnable part is turned in its opposite direction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A LIGHTER COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A STATIONARY PART AND A TOP PART ROTATABLY CONNECTED WITH SAID STATIONARY PART, SAID TOP PART BEING TURNABLE FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION, OCCUPIED IN NON-OPERATED CONDITION, IN TWO OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, A FLAME-PRODUCING DEVICE OPERABLE IN TWO OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS IN SAID HOUSING, AND A GEAR OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID TOP PART WITH SAID FLAME-PRODUCING DEVICE WHEREBY THE LATTER IS OPERATED WHEN SAID TOP PART IS TURNED IN EITHER OF ITS DIRECTIONS. 